Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Volunteer

Happy Earth Day! Help beautify our beachfronts by helping us on this cleanup.

1:30pm-1:40pm : Volunteer Check-in and Paperwork

1:40pm-1:45pm: Safety Talk and Introductions

1:45pm- 4:00pm: Beach Cleanup. Distance walked and time of cleanup dependent on amount of trash present.

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors.

Distance: Up to 3 miles walking across sand.

RSVP: RSVP Required.

For this day at the beach, we will provide:

• PPE (gloves)

• Garbage bags

• Other equipment needed for the cleanup and survey

However, we ask that you please bring:

• Reusable water bottle

• Sun protection

• Weather appropriate clothing

• Closed toed shoes

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Citizen Science

Help us catalog the species that can be found at Jones Beach State Park during the winter! Please have the free “iNaturalist” app pre-downloaded and bring your own smartphone to participate in this program.

We will be walking outdoors on our trails to find different species. Please dress for the weather.

Learn more about iNaturalist here:

https://www.inaturalist.org/

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: Up to 1 mile of walking across sand and/or pavement

RSVP: RSVP Required

All Ages | Talk + Activity

Join us with our guest, AOSNY, for an evening of night skies! The program will start indoors for a brief talk on the winter sky before heading outside as the sky darkens. On our back deck, we will use multiple telescopes to focus on the various celestial bodies.

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors and Outdoors

Weather: In the case of inclement weather, we will notify folks of cancellation via-email, and we will update this webpage morning-of.

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Speakers:

Amateur Observers’ Society of New York

Established in 1965, the Amateur Observers’ Society of New York (“AOSNY”) was created as a means for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages to meet together. Amateur Astronomy is about helping others, learning, doing, and having fun!

Their mission is to bring Long Island astronomy to the public and provide astronomy resources to members. This expresses their commitment not only to serve their members, but also to educate and inspire the public.

Website: jonesbeachenc.org

Instagram: @JonesBeachENC

Facebook: Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center @JonesBeachENC

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Event

To celebrate Autism Awareness Month, we are offering a free day of drop-in activities geared towards adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This day of fun activities includes:

All Day: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt

• Come to our front desk to get a sensory scavenger hunt! Return with a completed sheet to earn a prize.

10:00am-3:00pm: Collage and Coloring

• Our craft room full of coloring pages, and a collage station, will have you feeling creative and inspired.

10:00am-12:00pm- Touch Tank

• Our educator will introduce you to hermit crabs and snails, some of which you might recognize from around Long Island!

1:00pm-2:00pm - Meet the Turtles

• Learn more about native species of turtles, and meet some of our animal ambassadors.

2:00pm-2:30pm - Meet the Gecko

• Our educator will introduce you to our leopard gecko, Theo!

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Activities are both indoors and outdoors.

RSVP: No RSVP needed, walk-ins welcome.

The Teachers’ Workshop provides educators with an immersive experience at the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center. Teachers are placed in the role of students, and learn about how to use the building and site to teach students about environmental design, dune ecology, climate change, coastal resilience, and more. Participants can receive CTLE (Continuing Teacher and Leader Education) hours through the New York State Education Department.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Here are some preview questions from the Energy and Us unit. This will cover the first 30 minutes of the workshop

https://forms.office.com/g/7q7qisgE4q

RSVP required. Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please call 516-809-8222 or email jbenc@parks.ny.gov to cancel your reservation if you cannot attend so your spot can be made available to others.

All Ages | Volunteer Event

Protect the Piping Plovers by assisting the park with sectioning off their nesting habitat.

Volunteers at this event will walk across the beachfront with Parks staff preparing the string fencing for our endangered species. Includes at least 1 mile of walking across sand. Any volunteers under the age of 16 MUST have a parent or guardian onsite.

We ask that you please bring:

• Water bottle

• Sun protection

• Weather appropriate clothing (jackets, scarves, hats, gloves, warm footwear)

• Closed toed shoes

• A light snack

Schedule:

9:00am – Check-in and Fill out volunteer forms

•               Please arrive on time to complete volunteer paperwork and get checked-in.

•               If you would like a certificate of volunteer hours for your school please let staff know right away.

9:15am — Receive volunteer group assignments and group leaders

9:30am – Start working on the beach!

There is no specific end time for this program. If you need to leave before work is completed, please notify your group leader.

Thank you for volunteering to protect our endangered species!

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Volunteer Event

Ages 12 and up—all children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Plan to arrive by 8:30 am (schedule below). Help survey Jones Beach! NYS DEC and NYS Parks, with support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, hosts a Marine Debris survey and clean-up biannually. Come learn more about why this survey is so important! The duration depends on conditions but is expected to take 3-4 hours.

For this day at the beach, we will provide:

• PPE (gloves)

• Garbage bags

• Data recording materials

• Other equipment needed for the cleanup and survey

However, we ask that you please bring:

• Reusable water bottle

• Sun protection

• Weather appropriate clothing

• Closed toed shoes

• Lunch or light snack

Schedule:

8:30am—Welcome, Sign-in and registration (waivers and photo release) at Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center

9:00am—Introduction to staff, project, and research protocols

9:30am— Walk to beach

10:00 am—Survey and beach cleanup. Some groups will finish earlier than others. Survey's usually take between 2.5 - 5 hours depending on number of volunteers and the amount of trash present.

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Presented by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center with support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program

If there are questions, please feel free to reach out to francis.mcparland@dec.ny.gov or jbenc@parks.ny.gov.

Adults, Families (All ages) | Citizen Science

Help us catalog the species that can be found at Jones Beach State Park during the winter! Please have the free “iNaturalist” app pre-downloaded and bring your own smartphone to participate in this program.

We will be walking outdoors on our trails to find different species. Please dress for the weather.

Learn more about iNaturalist here:

https://www.inaturalist.org/

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects

The Teachers’ Workshop provides educators with an immersive experience at the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center. Teachers are placed in the role of students, and learn about how to use the building and site to teach students about environmental design, dune ecology, climate change, coastal resilience, and more. Participants can receive CTLE (Continuing Teacher and Leader Education) hours through the New York State Education Department.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Here are some preview questions from the Energy and Us unit. This will cover the first 30 minutes of the workshop

https://forms.office.com/g/7q7qisgE4q

RSVP required. Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please call 516-809-8222 or email jbenc@parks.ny.gov to cancel your reservation if you cannot attend so your spot can be made available to others.

FREE

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Guest Lecture

For Women's History Month, join us in celebrating the women who work in marine and aquatic sciences, and hear from experts in the field.

Dive into the adventures of Marissa DeBonis, the Stony Brook professor training the next generation through smooth dogfish research.

Marissa’s presentation will highlight her work training students in field-based shark research, focusing on smooth dogfish. She will discuss ongoing tagging efforts and diet studies aimed at understanding their ecological role in coastal habitats. The talk will emphasize how these projects provide students with practical skills while advancing shark science and conservation.

Q&A will be held during the presentation.

Guest Speaker:
Marissa DeBonis - Stony Brook University, Lecturer

Marissa is a dedicated educator and researcher specializing in marine conservation and shark science. As a Lecturer and Lab Coordinator at Stony Brook University's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, she focuses on training and mentoring students, emphasizing hands-on learning and field-based experiences. With a strong background in environmental education, Marissa is passionate about engaging diverse audiences, from early childhood learners to advanced college students, in understanding and protecting marine ecosystems. Marissa’s goal is to empower students with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in marine science and foster a lifelong sense of stewardship for the ocean.

FREE

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Guest Lecture

For Women's History Month, join us in celebrating the women who work in marine and aquatic sciences, and hear from experts in the field.

Environmental Analysts Samantha Wilder and Valeria Izeppi test New York's waters and share what you need to know about monitoring.

The Interstate Environmental Commission (IEC) coordinates regional water quality monitoring programs, collaborating with various levels of government, nonprofit organizations, and the general public. The accredited laboratory regularly collects and analyzes water samples from the Western Long Island Sound and the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary. The IEC is committed to expanding its network of monitored water bodies and partnerships to address data gaps, which can influence future regulatory decisions aimed at improving and preserving the quality of our waterways. Additionally, the IEC encourages local communities to get involved in monitoring efforts and become more aware of how their actions impact water quality.

Q&A will be held during the presentation.

Guest Speaker:

Samantha Wilder - Environmental Analyst II, Interstate Environmental Commission

Samantha currently serves as the Project Manager for the Western Long Island Sound Monitoring Program for the Interstate Environmental Commission (IEC) and coordinates IEC's involvement in Save the Sound's Unified Water Study. She joined IEC as a seasonal intern in May 2021 following the completion of her B.S. in Sustainability Studies from Hofstra University, with a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In addition to her work at IEC, Samantha is the part-time Water Quality Coordinator for the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee, where she performs water quality monitoring during the recreational season. During her studies, Samantha focused on community engagement in quantifying and reducing coastal pollution, particularly through beach cleanups. She has also been participating in boat-based surveys, collecting and analyzing water samples across the western Long Island Sound and its embayments since 2019. Samantha is currently pursuing a M.A. in Marine Conservation & Policy at Stony Brook University.

Valeria Izeppi - Environmental Analyst II, Interstate Environmental Commission

Valeria’s main role is coordinating the Interstate Environmental Commission participation in the Alley Creek and Bergen Basin pathogen mitigation project, which aims to assess nature-based solutions to mitigate pathogen loading in New York City embayments. Valeria also performs field work and data management for a new monitoring program in the New York Harbor, funded by a 604b award from the New York State Department of Conservation. Valeria earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from Rutgers University, with a minor in Chemistry. She is currently pursuing a M.S. in Environmental Science at Rutgers.

Adults & Families (All Ages) | Citizen Science

Help us catalog the species that can be found at Jones Beach State Park during the winter! Please have the free “iNaturalist” app pre-downloaded and bring your own smartphone to participate in this program.

We will be walking outdoors on our trails to find different species. Please dress for the weather.

Learn more about iNaturalist here:

https://www.inaturalist.org/

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects

Free Event Admission

Adults & Families (All Ages) | Lecture

What can you grow in a dish? Learn about tiny living things and make a fun craft!

Free Event Admission | All Ages

The program will start indoors for a brief talk on the winter sky before heading outside. On our back deck, we will use a telescope to focus on the Moon, the brighter stars, and their constellations.

RSVP REQUIRED.

Speakers:

Amateur Observers’ Society of New York

Established in 1965, the Amateur Observers’ Society of New York (“AOSNY”) was created as a means for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages to meet together. Amateur Astronomy is about helping others, learning, doing, and having fun!

Their mission is to bring Long Island astronomy to the public and provide astronomy resources to members. This expresses their commitment not only to serve their members, but also to educate and inspire the public.

Website: jonesbeachenc.org

Instagram: @JonesBeachENC

Facebook: Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center @JonesBeachENC

Free Event Admission

Adults & Families (All Ages) | Lecture

For Black History Month, join us for a lecture highlighting various scientists, historical and contemporary, that have contributed cutting-edge research to society! We will be discussing their works and their career paths through the years.

Learn more about the scientists who have improved your health, discovered microscopic worlds, and explored new habitats.

Adults, Families (Ages 6+) | Citizen Science

Come see our fascinating winter birds here at Jones Beach, and fill out a bird checklist to submit to Cornell Lab's "eBird" app, a citizen science project.

Binoculars recommended, but we will provide some pairs for the group.

We will be walking approximately 1-2 miles on sand. Please dress appropriately.

Free Event Admission

All Ages | Guest Lecture

Join Dr. J. Bret Bennington for a night of winter skies! The program will start indoors for a brief talk on the winter sky before heading outside. On our back deck, we will use a telescope to focus on the Moon, the brighter stars, and their constellations.

RSVP REQUIRED.

Speaker:

Dr. J. Bret Bennington - Chair of the Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability, Hofstra University

Dr. Bennington is a paleontologist who is also interested in regional geology and the geologic history of Long Island, his home for most of his life. In 2019 he was honored with the Neil Miner Award by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers for exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth sciences.

Free Event Admission (NO RSVP REQUIRED)

Families (All Ages) | Walk

This free event will take place at Field 10 of Jones Beach. Drop in anytime between 10am - 3pm to talk with an educator and go looking for seals swimming along in the bay. This hike is 1.5 miles out-and-back. Our educators will have a scope to help patrons spot any seals. Bring your family and friends!

Wear boots, bring binoculars, and dress in layers, with scarves, hats, and gloves.

We're excited to see you!

In the event of inclement weather, please refer back to this page to know of any cancellations or delays.

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Celebrate the new year in the outdoors with a First Day Hike at one of the many events across the state and nation.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) invite New Yorkers to kick off 2025 by participating in one of the many hikes being held at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands across the Empire State.

This event is OUTDOORS. Dress appropriately.

Families (Ages 6+) | Craft

$4 fee per program participant

Many people celebrate the start of a new year in the Northeast by lighting candles. Bring the family to create bayberry-scented candles from soy wax, and we’ll add some of Jones Beach’s homegrown bayberries!

Doors close 10 minutes after program start time. Please call 516-809-8222 or email jbenc@parks.ny.gov to cancel your reservation if you cannot attend so your spot can be made available to others.

*Please note - This is an RSVP only. All programs require an in-person payment of $4 per person prior to the start of the program. Change is available at the Center. Checks payable to “NYS Parks”.

Adults, Families (Ages 6+) | Citizen Science

Come see our fascinating winter birds here at Jones Beach, and fill out a bird checklist to submit to Cornell Lab's "eBird" app, a citizen science project.

Binoculars recommended, but we will provide some pairs for the group.

We will be walking approximately 1 mile on sand. Please dress appropriately.

Families (All Ages) | Activity

Join us for a fun seasonal craft! Create your very own custom wreath using our provided foraged materials.

RSVP required. Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please call 516-809-8222 or email jbenc@parks.ny.gov to cancel your reservation if you cannot attend so your spot can be made available to others.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Guest Lecture & Art Display

What goes on behind the scenes when creating a shorebird sculpture? Understand the artform, from bird watching, journal notes, sketching, pattern making, and finally, carving in wood the chosen subject including the eyes. . Local artist Tommy Stewart takes us through his process.

Q&A will be held during the presentation.

Guest Speaker:

Tommy Stewart – Artist, Sculptor

Tommy's concentration and discipline is centered around his life-like qualities in his work, design and composition. Through a history of acclaimed works, Tommy has studied shorebird anatomy and color theory advancing in this artform and mentoring aspiring artists. You can find examples of his work on his Instagram, @tommy_stewart_shorebirds.